A Lasting Impression

that Christmas has come early for you this year, my dear.”

31

    C laire could scarcely believe what Mrs. Acklen had done for her. Six dresses! Six! And all of them lovelier than any she’d owned before. Mrs. Perry had also included an assortment of lacy undergarments—chemises, underskirts and pantalets, stockings—all in a separate pink paper-lined box. Along with a woolen coat for coming winter and a pair of shiny black boots in another.
    Claire had never owned such fine things, nor had she been treated so royally. She stood at the door of the dress shop, peering out at the steady downpour but determined not to let it dampen her spirits. Not after such a wonderfully unexpected surprise.
    The fittings had taken longer than she imagined, and Mrs. Perry had generously provided lunch for her. Diddie and Cara Netta had left two hours earlier with the promise of returning for her in “the Clarence,” as Diddie called their leased carriage, and so she waited.
    It occurred to her then that perhaps she should have felt insulted by what Mrs. Acklen had done—because apparently Mrs. Acklen didn’t feel as though she dressed appropriately for her station. Yet she wasn’t insulted in the least. She was grateful beyond imagining, and could hardly wait to get back to Belmont to thank her employer properly. Mrs. Perry said the alterations would be completed within a few days and she would have the dresses delivered to Belmont.
    Claire spotted the LeVerts’ carriage coming down the street. She could hardly miss it. The Clarence had a circular front with glass—very stylish, and no doubt very expensive, even leased. She made a dash for the carriage and climbed in with Armstead’s assistance, not surprised to see ribboned boxes stacked on the seat beside her.
    Diddie and Cara Netta occupied the seat encased by glass, which suited her fine. Whoever sat there was on display, something she preferred not to be. Aware of Cara Netta watching, Claire brushed drops of rain from her skirt and willed a cheerful tone to her voice. “Did you two have a successful shopping trip?”
    “Yes, we did.” Cara Netta’s smile looked mildly convincing. “Though not as successful as yours, I wager.”
    Diddie shot her younger sister a look, then checked the gold ladies’ watch pinned to her own bodice. “It’s a quarter ’til one. Shall we see if Sutton is still at the law office? I told him we might stop by.”
    Cara Netta nodded, but Claire looked between the two sisters. “We’re not going back to Belmont?”
    “Soon,” Diddie said, tapping on the window. Armstead appeared and she gave him instructions, then leaned back again. “We won’t be long, Miss Laurent. I promise. And I feel certain, after seeing how much Mrs. Acklen appreciates you, she won’t begrudge you an hour or two more.”
    “Oh!” Cara Netta perked up. “We could visit that wonderful little pie shop where Sutton took us last time. They have the most divine coconut cream.”
    Diddie agreed, and the two sisters began talking, finishing each other sentences as they usually did.
    Resigned, Claire eased back in the seat. And as the carriage rumbled past shops and office buildings, she began to get a familiar feeling. When the driver stopped in front of a redbrick building with a brass placard reading Holbrook and Wickliffe Law Offices, she realized why.
    She looked out, remembering the older man she’d seen at Broderick Shipping and Freight, and then again, entering this building. “ This is where Sutton works?”
    Diddie nodded. “Holbrook and Wickliffe is the most prestigious law firm in town. Sutton was employed here exclusively . . . before Mr. Acklen passed away. Following that he moved to Belmont to help Mrs. Acklen manage things there.”
    “I’d have thought you would’ve known that,” Cara Netta said, “since you and Sutton are such . . . good friends. ”
    Claire didn’t quite know how to respond to that. It was the first time Cara Netta had said anything directly to her about Sutton. Much less about her and Sutton. And the tone she’d used . . . as if she questioned whether they were only good friends .
    “I knew Sutton worked at a law firm here in town . . .” Claire glanced back at the building to see Sutton exiting the front door. The rain had let up, and the hope of sunlight was peeking through the clouds. “I simply didn’t realize he was connected with this law office.” And with that older gentleman she’d met.
    “Mrs.